Ruth

Ruth Pena M. and her husband Jose Pimentel sell everything from mops to fresh fruit in their store in Quisqueya. It is well stocked with toilet paper, napkins, bread, vegetable oil, brooms, and canned foods. They have three children: Genia (20), Jose Manuel (18), and Jose Antonio (14). With this loan, Ruth wants to expand their business to sell shoes and bedsheets. She hopes such an expansion will increase their business and allow her and her husband to ease their children's transitions into adulthood.

Note: Ruth is one of five microentrepreneurs in her Bank of Hope solidarity group, all of whom have gone through Esperanza's business training courses. Each of the five members will receive a share of this $825 loan for their respective businesses and will be accountable to each other for repaying their share of this loan together. This group-lending method strengthens social needs in the community and helps ensure that members cooperate to help one another repay their loans and invest wisely in their businesses and families. As soon as Ruth pays off her current loan with Esperanza, this loan will become active.